Environmental Health and Safety
Standard Operating Procedure Nitric Acid Purpose Nitric acid (also known as aqua fortis) is an extremely corrosive acid and strong oxidizing agent. It may be harmful if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. It can cause severe skin and eye burns resulting in irreversible damage. It is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous membranes and the upper respiratory tract. The main use of nitric acid is in the production of agricultural fertilizers. Its other uses include the production of nylon precursors, explosives, and rocket fuel.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group CAS#: 7697-37-2 Class: Corrosive, oxidizer Molecular Formula: HNO3 Form (physical state): Liquid Color: Colorless, light yellow Boiling point: 83.9-100 °C
Potential Hazards/Toxicity Nitric acid is an oxidizer that may intensify fires. Fire conditions may cause formation of hazardous nitrogen oxides. Nitric acid may be harmful if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. It is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. Causes severe skin and eye burns. May cause blindness and permanent eye damage. Inhalation may cause spasms, inflammation and edema of the bronchi or larynx, and pneumonitis. Other symptoms include burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, vomiting, and pulmonary edema. Effects may be delayed. Large doses may cause conversion of hemoglobin to methemoglobin, producing cyanosis or a drastic fall in blood pressure, leading to collapse, coma, and possibly death. Chronic exposure may cause erosion of the teeth, jaw necrosis, and kidney damage.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Respirator Protection Use a full-face respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances: • As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been exhausted).
Nitric acid. UCM- EH&S
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Date: 10/19/2012 Written By/Reviewed By:
Environmental Health and Safety
• • • • •
When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will be exceeded. Regulations require the use of a respirator. An employer requires the use of a respirator. There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of PEL) As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement. Hand Protection Handle with gloves. Viton gloves are recommended. Nitrile gloves are not recommended for concentrated (>70%) nitric acid according to the Ansell Chemical Resistance Guide. NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on using are compatible with hydrochloric acid. Refer to glove selection chart from the links below: http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_8thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf OR http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172 OR http://www.showabestglove.com/site/default.aspx OR http://www.mapaglove.com/ Eye Protection ANSI approved, tight-fitting safety glasses/goggles. Face shields are also recommended. Skin and Body Protection Lab personnel working with the chemical need to wear full-length pants or its equivalent, closed-toe footwear with no skin being exposed, and a lab coat. Safety apron also recommended. Hygiene Measures Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the product.
Engineering Controls Chemical fume hood. Good ventilation.
First Aid Procedures If inhaled Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Consult a physician. In case of skin contact Wash off with soap and plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing. Consult a physician. In case of eye contact Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes lifting upper and lower eyelids and removing contact lenses. Consult a physician. Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
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Date: 10/19/2012 Written By/Reviewed By:
Environmental Health and Safety
If swallowed Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with water. Consult a physician.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements Precautions for safe handling: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Avoid inhalation and ingestion. Keep away from heat and sources of ignition- No smoking. Conditions for safe storage: Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated area. Store in original container away from direct sunlight. Opened containers must be carefully resealed and stored upright to prevent leakage. Store away from combustible materials. Avoid alkali metals, reducing agents, cyanides, aldehydes, powdered metals organic materials, ammonia, acetic anhydride, acetonitrile, alcohols, and acrylonitrile.
Spill and Accident Procedure Chemical Spill Dial 9-911 and 228-7864 Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area. Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.). Small (1 L) – Dial 9-911 and EH&S at 228-7864 for assistance. Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S at 228-7864 immediately. Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from the emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S at 228-7864 immediately.
Medical Emergency Dial 9-911 or 228-7864 Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 9-911 Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at 228-7864 within 8 hours. Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Olivewood Meadows Occupational Health 374 Olive during regular business hours. All other times report to Mercy Medical Center 315 Mercy Ave. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at 228-7864 within 8 hours. Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Go to the Olivewood Meadows Occupational Health 374 Olive during regular business hours. All other times report to Mercy Medical Center 315 Mercy Ave. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures must be reported to EH&S at 228-7864 within 8 hours.
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Date: 10/19/2012 Written By/Reviewed By:
Environmental Health and Safety
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure Wearing proper PPE, decontaminate equipment and bench tops using soap and water. Dispose of the used chemical and contaminated disposables as hazardous waste following the guidelines below. General hazardous waste disposal guidelines: Label Waste • Affix an on-line hazardous waste tag on all waste containers using the Online Tag Program http://otp.ucop.edu/ as soon as the first drop of waste is added to the container Store Waste • Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated location • Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags • Waste must be under the control of the person generating & disposing of it Dispose of Waste • Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days • Call EH&S at 228-7864 for questions • Empty Containers o Dispose as hazardous waste if it once held extremely hazardous waste (irrespective of the container size) A list can be found at http://ehs.ucla.edu/Pub/ExtremelyHazardousWaste.pdf Prepare for transport to pick-up location Check on-line waste tag Use secondary containment
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location Online SDS can be accessed at http://ehs.ucmerced.edu/material-safety-data-sheets.
Protocol/Procedure Add small amounts (i.e. dropwise) to lower pH of electrodeposition solution.
NOTE Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required) •
Prior to conducting any work with hydrochloric acid, designated personnel must provide training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with this substance, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.
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The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.
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The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended appropriate laboratory safety training or refresher training within the last one year.
Nitric acid. UCM- EH&S
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Date: 10/19/2012 Written By/Reviewed By:
Environmental Health and Safety
I have read and understand the content, requirements, and responsibilities of this SOP:
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Date: 10/19/2012 Written By/Reviewed By:
